But nothing like a win in one of Australia's greatest classic races that has been won by immortals like Phar Lap and Tulloch.
Sangster looked a real Derby chance when he finished second two weeks ago in the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield. James McDonald rode him that day and the press slaughtered him for the ride, declaring the horse would have won had McDonald not pressed the button too soon.
Derby rival Sabrage beat him a long head that day, with Sydney colt Niagara declared even more unlucky in being held up behind horses on the home bend.
Sangster and Sabrage worked together on Tuesday morning, with the Mike Moroney-trained Sabrage easily working the best.
Carnival time in Melbourne is one that simply breeds follow the leader-type fashions. When Jimmy Choux was beaten by Rekindled Interest in the Breakfast With The Best at Moonee Valley, everyone said Jimmy Choux couldn't beat the other horse home in the Cox Plate.
He did.
This time everyone's saying Sangster can't beat Sabrage in the Derby on Tuesday's work.
Interestingly, the big punters have gone the other way and yesterday DoubleBet bookie Brian Taylor said there was a lot more money in the previous 24 hours for Sangster than Sabrage.
Trent Busuttin is unconcerned about the Tuesday gallop.
"He dropped five lengths off the other horse at the 800m and had to sprint hard on the bend to try and make up that ground.
"It wasn't that my bloke worked badly, the other horse worked very well. He worked better."
Busuttin feels it's a plus to have Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman, who made such a big splash in the same race last year, winning on fellow New Zealand stayer Lion Tamer.
"Hugh wasn't worried about the Tuesday gallop. He came here and worked him yesterday morning and was delighted with him.
"I'm not reading too much into people saying he should have won at Caulfield, I think Niagara should have beaten them both."
Manawanui was the $2.50 favourite yesterday morning after his devastating win in the Vase at Moonee Valley last week, but during the day there was a definite drift away from him.
"Induna is the only horse they've come for," said Brian Taylor.
"No one wants to back Manawanui."
Apart from the absolute iconic winners of the race, that were essentially over the line before the start, the Victoria Derby has been a graveyard for well-fancied runners.
The 2500m on a big, tough course like Flemington is an enormous test of stamina for young horses, some of whom will not have turned three by tomorrow.
Australian-breds are not renowned for their stamina, which is why they produce the world's best sprinters.
And also produce a list of flops when it comes to 2500m of the Derby.
* Mike Moroney is happier than he was a month or so back about kissing his classy 3-year-old Sabrage on the nose.
That's exactly what the Melbourne-based New Zealander will do if Sabrage wins today's Derby.
Two months ago Moroney might have lost half his nose if he'd tried it.
Sabrage has been so savage the stable had to put him in a muzzle.
That was until he broke his jaw charging at his stable door.
"He was due into the Caulfield Guineas so I made inquiries about an operation and they said if they did an emergency job on him they wouldn't be able to do a proper job and that he'd have a permanent smile."
Rather than end up with a chuckling horse, Moroney had an elaborate job done, which involved drilling holes in Sabrage's jaw and wiring the mouth closed. "It was a bit of a job because we had to keep hosing his mouth out to get rid of the feed that got caught up in the wiring."
Sabrage went to the Norman Robinson with the wire still in his mouth and, stepping up to 2000m, was able to run down Derby rival Sangster while fending off the unlucky Niagara. "There are five chances from what I've seen," Moroney said.
"The first three home in the Norman Robinson, I thought the horse of Darley's [Induna] was quite an impressive stayer and the favourite Manawanui.
